What is the mental health condition described as occurring after exposure to a traumatic event that includes intrusive memories and avoidance?

• A. Post traumatic stress disorder
• B. Acute stress disorder
• C. Adjustment disorder
• D. Generalized anxiety disorder

Answer: (A)

Posttraumatic stress disorder describes a pattern of symptoms that follow exposure to a traumatic event, with intrusive memories and avoidance as hallmark features. Intrusive memories are distressing, involuntary recollections, flashbacks, or nightmares about the event. Avoidance involves steering clear of thoughts, feelings, or external reminders (people, places, activities) associated with the trauma. For a PTSD diagnosis, these symptoms typically persist for more than one month and cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning.

Acute stress disorder can look similar but occurs within days to a month after the event and is time-limited. Adjustment disorder involves emotional or behavioral responses to a stressor that don’t include the full PTSD symptom cluster. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by pervasive worry across many domains, not specifically tied to trauma exposure.